Cloudyrain

Totally agree with you: and I have used them also on several occasions and had no issues. I don’t see there is a massive risk: it’s via HX who would (and do in my experience with booking things via with them over the last 10+ years) deal with any problems that might occur, and I really don’t think anyone is going to go to the effort of setting up and running a profitable business for several years to then think “oh yes, I’m going to steal that holiday makers 8 year old C-max with 50,000 miles on the clock and get £500 scrap for it” 😂 although I was one of the Thomas Cook cruise customers who was as days away from travelling when the (supposedly) “long standing stable business” went bust so I suppose anything’s possible.

I tend to leave reviews for holidays, but not for something like this though as I book it through HX, and I wouldn’t know where to leave a review. Personally I pay little attention to reviews, especially given the vast amounts of effort put in by dodgy companies now “selling” good review services via BOTs and AI etc. For me the fact they are through HX gives me reassurance, and I tend to book most things holiday related through them these days because all the info is in one place and there is a level of “cover” with them. I do/have user CPS if it’s a better cost, but much prefer the meet and great because I find it quicker.

We use them all the time, they have always been great. There is a dodgy company with a similar name, but not sold through Holiday Extras, and they had loads of problems. However, these people are great and no waiting or queuing and works loads better for us than CPS actually.

This is why I always recommend people use a Cruise TA: they deal with all your enquiries instead. In my experience the service on board is a 1000 times better than land based. Is there anything we on here can help with?

That’s really why they have taken the trays away - P&O are now relying on burning hot plates destroying the germs that people haven’t bothered to wash away 😉

Both our MSC cruises were awful in terms of embarkation and disembarkation: both Southampton cruises where people were not picked up at other ports. We went in the Yacht Club the second time so whizzed passed the queues, but it took our friends 2 hours to get on, and 1.5 hours to get off (standing in queues the whole time).

Have you seen MSC 😬 I like MSC and am not really the sort to complain about things being busy, and we do have assistance so are somewhat ‘fortunate’ but still… They love a queue getting on, love one getting off, love one getting luggage 😂 In fact the saving grace is the fact you can self park your car in the Horizon terminal and that makes up for it - until the queue getting out… 😂

I heard the same from a friend who used to work for MSC: they find it easier to sell the “cheaper” cabins/categories last minute, so they try and offload the more difficult to sell cabins to their existing customers. Especially as psychologically people are more detached from the cost they originally paid, and don’t see the upgrade cost in the same way.

Thank you. This time we are going on the Ventura - I don’t know if I would risk an upgrade on one of the big ships as there are so many less desirable upgrades that I wouldn’t really like as much (especially as we usually go Select to pick specific cabins), but with Ventura we would be happy with any of the Superior Deluxe balcony cabins.

They will 99% of the time have space in the theatre to just walk in without a booking just before the show starts. However they open more bookings on board too, so you won’t have a problem. In my experience it’s Limelight that’s a nightmare to book (although they occasionally have slots come up due to cancellations), and 710 gets booked up really quickly - but if you go about 15/20 minutes before it starts they will put you on a standby list and we got in fine that way.

I get what you are saying, but we booked on a very good price initially (watching cruise prices is a hobby of mine 😂) and that’s why I was massively surprised to even win because the price we got it for was less than it had been on sale for at any time I had been checking. Also the fact that the price I had written down for comparison for paying for the cabin initially was a saver lowest category, but we have been allocated the top grade in the category, and as it was booked as Select we still get those perks too: for the price I’ve paid I expected lowest grading, over Havana or something 😂

Yes, it was provided before I made the payment bid: it’s literally perfect for us, top category of the Superior Deluxe, mid ship, cabins above and below. We are very happy.

Totally makes sense 😂 I have been watching prices (I have a few cruises under my belt) and with the upgraded bid it’s a lot less than we could have booked.

Yes, literally perfect

Our winning bid was £100 total to upgrade from a low category select balcony cabin to a top category superior deluxe balcony. When we originally booked it would have been a £400 price difference for the lowest category SD. I think we got a bargain - and most importantly it was a price I was happy to pay. there will be genuine bargains: there will also be offers that are around the same as original booking price. it’s early days for P&O operating this system, and if it ends up like MSC there will be a mix of amazing bargains and downright extortionate pricing I expect 😂

We have done the Iona and Britannia and would choose the Iona every time. I really like the smaller ships (although I know they used to be mega ships, how things change!) and Ventura is my favourite, but I really didn’t like the Britannia for layout and outside space. I would go for the Arvia/Iona in the Caribbean due to the nice outside space the have, and the expanded choice of dining.

We were offered an upgrade within a month of final payment, and then a month later the offer was accepted (minimum bid), and we were allocated a top grade for the category room (which was a shock, I was expecting the lowest grade) the month before the sailing. We are very happy with the process. We booked this one direct though, usually we go via a TA, and I understand it’s currently only direct booking. We cruised with MSC in the past who do the upgrade system and we were offered it even though we had booked via TA so I would expect P&O will possibly do the same - unless it proves popular and they want to keep it as a USP.

Northern Europe in Summer: Norway is lovely, but the history is more focussed on Norwegian Vikings, whereas going to a multi-country Northern Europe you will various different histories. The Med is great for history (some ports better than others) but I would avoid July and August. If you are restricted to Summer only then Early June or September are usually good options: may be a little busy, but better weather (and not too hot).

You can take two bags as long as you can carry them. I have a handbag, backpack and a pull along case with wheels. The Olive Grove dining is a good option for you, and an alternative to MDR/Buffet/Quays as most of the food is no up charge. It can book up, but you ca usually get a slot (especially lunch, or on a busier port destination like Olden). theatre entertainment is generally turn up and find a seat: even on a full ship in the holidays you will be able to get a seat in there if you arrive 5 minutes before it starts. It’s the 710 club that’s trickier as it’s smaller, but it’s definitely worth booking (or getting there 15 minutes before the show to see if there are any no shows).

It’s £60 per day (roughly) and for me that’s worth it, but then I don’t spend much on excursions or drink etc. Plus I love a balcony: reading on there, leaving the curtains open at night to wake up to the view. Plus you have a lot of sea days where outside areas might be a bit busy! If you don’t think you can justify the cost maybe consider an outside cabin, or an inside + a retreat pass (depending on cost).

I like the Ventura: it might be missing some things that other ships do better, but generally I think it’s a nice ship, not a mega sized one, and despite being a bit old in places (and the awful buffet that’s so badly laid out, I suspect a toddler designed it) it’s still a really good option. Plus I always favour destinations and price over ship.

We use Portside Meet & Great via Holiday Extras which is brilliant and generally my first choice option as it’s right at the dock, or a hotel and parking package. Our friends use the airport long stay and get a taxi from there. There was an issue with a company the other month who were not legitimate offering parking, so make sure you check either here or on reviews for a good history behind whoever you book with. I don’t know Aeropark I’m afraid but maybe do a search.

It was possible on the Iona, but granted it was for 6.30 (which was the time requested and given).

Your phone needs to be in airplane mode to use the app so you won’t get disturbed by taking your phone. But as someone else said, go on the first night and ask for a regular table and they will provide one if that’s what you prefer.

We stayed at the airport on a day that 5 big ships were in: there was hardly any traffic it was about 15 minutes (taking my accidental detour because I don’t know my left from my right). We had a relatively early check in though (12.15) and the dock was quiet.